'Peaky Blinders' season 6: Release date, cast, plot and everything you need to know about the BBC One crime-thriller
The BBC One crime-drama 'Peaky Blinders' has consistently pulled in viewers with its suspenseful plotlines, violence and family drama. Season five ended with an epic finale and fans can't wait to see Cillian Murphy back as the Shelby leader Thomas Shelby — especially after the scary ending where he attempts to take his own life.
Hinting at how the sixth season will be a "tragedy," creator Steven Knight said in an interview, "It’s fortunate for me and unfortunate for the world that Peaky, as it makes its two or three-year leaps, keeps hitting stepping stones that are very resonant of what’s going on. In series six, we’ll be looking at 1934 and things are worse. The drumbeat is getting louder, tensions are worse and Tommy is right in the middle of all that. Again, it will be an exploration of what was going on in the ‘30s and how certain things transpired."
Anthony Byrne is set to return to direct the episodes. "I have read three of the scripts and they’re great, I did say it feels like part one of two and that was purely based on the fact that you have this cliffhanger," he told BBC Sounds’ Obsessed With Peaky Blinders podcast. "I want to know what happens in the field, I had no idea, I mean I do now. At the time when we were shooting it. Nobody knew, so I wanted to commit to playing it. Cillian didn’t know either." He also added, "Gina, and whoever her family are, will make themselves known, Oswald Mosley and some people around him and his world."
Release date
There is no official confirmation from the makers about the release date yet but there's hope that the series will be renewed in 2021. Speaking to the official podcast, Obsessed With Peaky Blinders, director Anthony Byrne said: "I have no idea when it would be out, maybe early 2021, something like that?" He also revealed that the filming might begin in early November.
Plot
Season five ended with one too many cliffhangers and fans should expect more political manipulation in the next season. Cillian Murphy's battle with mental anxiety is the biggest concern right now as he attempts to put the gun on his head at the end of the finale. His plans of British politician Oswald Mosley's assassination were butchered. Will Mosley turn to be stronger in the next season and who is the traitor in the Shelby clan?
Moreover, Michael Gray wanted full control of the opium business with his wife Gina. Tommy turned down his offer in season five, but will he plan to get it anyway? Alfie Solomons is back! There must be a major role for him in season six, don't you think so?
Cast
Cillian Murphy
Cillian Murphy plays the role of Thomas Shelby, Labour MP of Birmingham South and the head of the Shelby clan. The actor is also popularly known for his stint as Jonathan Crane / Scarecrow in Christopher Nolan's 'The Dark Knight' trilogy and has also starred in films like 'The Wind That Shakes the Barley' (2006), 'Sunshine' (2007), 'The Edge of Love' (2008), 'Inception' (2010) and 'Peacock' (2010).
Sam Claflin
Sam Claflin essays the role of British politician Sir Oswald Mosley in the series. He is known for his roles in 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' (2011), 'The Hunger Games' film series (2013–2015), 'Love, Rosie' (2014), and 'Me Before You' (2016).
Helen McCrory
Helen McCrory plays the role of Polly Gray in the series. The actress is known for her roles as Narcissa Malfoy in the final three 'Harry Potter' films, Martin Scorsese's family film 'Hugo' (2011), James Bond film 'Skyfall' (2012), and 'MotherFatherSon' (2019).
The other actors in the series include Paul Anderson, Sophie Rundle, Tom Hardy, Aidan Gillen, Finn Cole, Natasha O'Keeffe, Kate Phillips, Harry Kirton and Anya Taylor-Joy among other recurring actors.
However, there may be quite a few new additions. Stephen Graham is joining the cast but not as Al Capone, as fans expected. Knight said, "Not Al Capone – I didn’t want to go west. Because it’s a minefield once you go into Chicago gangsters. I refer to him last series, but I didn’t want to go into that." Moreover, the creator also added, "I’m opening the door a bit. We always have people who want to be in it and we’re talking really astonishingly good people."
Director/Writer
Steven Knight
Steven Knight is the creator of the first five seasons of 'Peaky Blinders' and he said in an interview earlier that he already has plotlines planned for forthcoming sixth and seventh seasons. He also teased how season 6 will be a "tragedy" and opened up about the political plot that the series shall explore.
Moreover, it has been confirmed that director Anthony Byrne has been confirmed to helm season six.
Where to watch
You can stream the first five seasons of 'Peaky Blinders' on Netflix and BBC iPlayer. The sixth season is expected to release on BBC One in 2021.
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